When Biffy Clyro tell you to party, you better take heed. After all, it was a Saturday night as bassist James Johnston cunningly revealed. The crowd didn’t need an excuse, this is a Biffy Clyro gig after all. They don’t do things by halves and entertaining a sold-out crowd is pretty much a walk in the park for the Scottish rockers and this was one hell of a walk taking the rapturous audience through their impressive body of work from their career that spans nine studio albums.
Ably supported by the metalcore masters Architects who set the tone for a thrilling night of music. ‘Deep Fake’ from their most recent album ‘The Classic Symptoms Of A Broken Spirit’ their tenth studio album was a triumph and the Brighton five piece also showcased the industrial rock gem ‘Tear Gas’, ‘When We Were Young’ and ‘A New Moral Low Ground’ from the album and closed with ‘Animals’ a Rammstein-reminiscent track that was punchy and frantic in equal measure.
This was an emphatic and electrifying set from the band who were making their O2 Arena debut. Think driving, pounding percussion, blistering guitars and confident and impassioned vocals from frontman Sam Carter. This was a dramatic and assured performance from the band who raised the roof and then some.
Were the crowd psyched up for Biffy Clyro? You betcha!
And the Kilmarnock trio kicked off proceedings with the opening track from the 2021 album ‘The Myth Of The Happily Ever After’ (which took the band in a slightly more expansive and experimental direction) which was a standout and was visually very compelling, making it an extraordinary and ambitious display of the stage drizzled in a dazzling red light which helped elevate what was already a pretty stellar show. “We are BIFFY Fucking CLYRO!” frontman Simon Neil helpfully (but somewhat needlessly) interjects. If there was anyone there with a hazy recollection of who the band were at the beginning, this would be in dispute at the end of their high-octane set.
‘Tiny Indoor Fireworks’, ‘Black Chandelier’ and ‘Who’s Got A Match?’ quickly followed suit where Simon showcased some impressive swinging (of the lightbulb variety!) which was a compelling moment that demonstrated the unadulterated energy he has when performing live. ‘That Golden Rule’ from ‘Only Revolutions’ unequivocally packed a proverbial punch and showcased the band’s superb live credentials.
‘Mountains’ was mesmerising as was ‘Machines’ and ‘Unknown Male 01’ was an absolute joy. This was a captivating and impressive stomp through their expansive back catalogue, but primarily focusing on material from their last five albums which included ‘Biblical’ and ‘Black Chandelier’ from 2013’s ‘Opposites’, ‘Wolves of Winter’ and ‘Re-Arrange’ from ‘Ellipsis’.
‘End Of’ and ‘57’ were standouts and are a fantastic reminder of how the band can combine vulnerability, power and artistry effortlessly.
Fan favourites ‘Bubbles’ and ‘Many Of Horror’ closed the page on what had been a monumental set from Biffy who put on an anthemic and astonishing display.
This was a hypnotic and stirring performance from Biffy who never disappoint with their live shows thanks to their compelling lyrics, fierce and thunderous delivery and above all their unadulterated passion for their craft.
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Words: Emma Harrison
